Spain introduces paid ‘climate leave’ for employees
Spain has enacted legislation that permits employees to take four paid days off during weather emergencies. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Spain's left-wing government has enacted a new law that guarantees up to four paid days off for individuals unable to commute to work due to “climate emergencies.” This decision follows the tragic flash floods in Valencia last month that resulted in over 200 fatalities.
The law was introduced on Friday, shortly after receiving approval from the Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist Workers' Party.
The provision for paid days off will take effect when civil protection and meteorological authorities issue warnings for extreme weather, with Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz stating on Thursday that “no worker will have to run any risk.”
If a weather emergency lasts longer than four days, employers may extend their workers’ “climate leave,” with the government compensating for their lost wages.
At least 229 lives were lost last month due to severe rains that led to flash floods affecting various towns in Valencia. Residents criticized regional president Carlos Mazon for not issuing an alert to advise workers to remain at home during the disaster.
Despite public outcry, Mazon has refused to resign, claiming he was not informed of the situation's severity by the government’s water monitoring agency.
Survivors of the disaster have also directed their anger towards Sanchez and Spanish King Felipe VI. However, in her remarks on Thursday, Diaz sought to shift much of the blame onto Mazon, a member of the conservative People's Party.
“In the face of climate denialism from the right, the Spanish government is committed to green policies,” she emphasized, announcing further economic aid for those affected by the calamity. The government has so far sanctioned €16.6 billion in support for the region.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
The law was introduced on Friday, shortly after receiving approval from the Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist Workers' Party.
The provision for paid days off will take effect when civil protection and meteorological authorities issue warnings for extreme weather, with Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz stating on Thursday that “no worker will have to run any risk.”
If a weather emergency lasts longer than four days, employers may extend their workers’ “climate leave,” with the government compensating for their lost wages.
At least 229 lives were lost last month due to severe rains that led to flash floods affecting various towns in Valencia. Residents criticized regional president Carlos Mazon for not issuing an alert to advise workers to remain at home during the disaster.
Despite public outcry, Mazon has refused to resign, claiming he was not informed of the situation's severity by the government’s water monitoring agency.
Survivors of the disaster have also directed their anger towards Sanchez and Spanish King Felipe VI. However, in her remarks on Thursday, Diaz sought to shift much of the blame onto Mazon, a member of the conservative People's Party.
“In the face of climate denialism from the right, the Spanish government is committed to green policies,” she emphasized, announcing further economic aid for those affected by the calamity. The government has so far sanctioned €16.6 billion in support for the region.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
